Scent-sational

 Hello fellow hoppers,

I'm so glad you all stopped by!  I got a very special treat this month! I was able to meet AND stamp with the very amazingly talented Melyssa Connolly (Owner and designer for Whimsey Doodles) who has re-kindled my love for copic markers...AWESOME!  I tend to have champaigne taste on a beer can budget...so we shall see how this goes! It was incredibly awesome to play and stamp with Melyssa, Nikki and Joni over at Nikki's house...I have missed stampin' with the girlies!

So join us for an amazing blog hop of the fab new set Melyssa was kind enough to share with us!!!

This set is just too STINKIN' cute!  But seriously, it really is super cute!

Here are just a few of the cards I have made with this set! 

The whole chevron craze is in full swing, so I thought I would use some of this delish paper to match my pretty leaves....Can I just say that it makes a HUGE difference when you have a large number of COPIC markers to color with, I mean HUGE  so if you are just starting out and only have five markers...you need MORE!  I have zero copics, because I sold mine, because I didn't think I knew how to use them...turns out I just need more copics and some practice! (and a great teacher...like Melyssa Connolly!)

 This card is sweet, simple and to the point...sometimes less is more!

I think this might be my most favorite card with this set!  I started off with just the present (going for the CAS card again...and added the "scent'iment" and realized it wouldn't work...nothing to smell and all. So I started to mask, and I stamped and cut out the wrong image...so I had to start again. I was sooo afraid I was going to "jack" the whole thing up when I colored it, but I think it turned out okay! I love this type of card, you know, where the sentiment is revealed when still closed...but it sure is a bear, or should I say skunk to carpture on camera!

Thank you all for stopping by!

I hope you enjoyed the blog hop...now join in the fun and try to win yourself one of these amazingly cute "Scent-sational" stamp sets

Hugs and Happy Stampin'

Silvia

Scent-sational is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 23 stamps and will sell for $24.00.

Would you like to win the new Scent-sational stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, June 30th with the winner being announced during the release party chat

Getting fit...and staying there

Hello bloggers,

I know it's been a while, life has been a whirl wind these past few months and staying balanced has been a challenge. Another school year has ended for the kids and since January, between my husband and I, we have undergone three surgeries. It's been rough and with three kids in school and pre-school one of the things we have let go by the wayside is working out...at least I have!  And now that it's bikini season, I really wish that I hadn't!  But, what's a girl to do, what's done is done and we can only move foward!

I have recently started working out again. One of my favorite sites to workout with had lost it's hostess and gotten a new one (which I wasn't as fond of) so I went seaching... and I have found my beloved Zuzana! I love working out and doing the videos because you can tell she is working hard in the video, she sometimes stumbles or looses her balance, she isn't perfect, se doesn't mind and I love that...plus she has a rockin body that I am striving to achieve!

Here is a link to her bikini body workout #19  Amazin!!!

She has a bunch of workouts, do one a day and keep at it, add eating healthy and you will see results in no time!

Have a great day and sweat a little (or  a lot!)

Silvia

Making Greek Yogurt

So a few weeks ago I saw a post on how to make Greek Yogurt...and since we used to live there I felt immediately compelled to make some! Let me tell you, whenevr tell someone that I make my own yogurt, they really look at me like I have three heads, or maybe one eye, but the process is so simple that I truly wonder why people everywhere don't make their own!

Origional instructions found here: The Little Red House

But I have changed some measurements and

cheese cloth instructions that worked better for me

What you'll NEED

*Milk (I use 1 gallon skim so it's fat free)

*1/2 Cup of plain yogurt

*kitchen thermometer

*2 cup size measuring cup

*Cheese cloth

*Collinder

*Large bowl

*Oven with oven light

*Table Cloth

Now for the fun part!!!

From your one gallon of milk, measure out 1/2 a cup into the measuring cup. Place the rest in a pot and set on medium heat until it boils (small bubbles, don't burn it...trust me the yogurt will not be as yummy with a burnt taste! I know from experience!)

While the milk is warming, add 1/2 a cup of the plain yogurt to the 1/2 cup of milk in the measuring cup. Set aside for now. No need to refridgerate.

Once the milk has boiled, let it cool until it reaches about 100-105 degrees F

Once it's reached the above temperature dump the milk yogurt mixture into the milk pot and stir. Add the pot lid and wrap the table cloth all around it!

Place in oven with the oben light on and wait...for 18 hours, yes I said 18!

I try to make my yogurt around lunch time so that by the next morning it's ready to be strained!

Once the 18 hours are up, you have yogurt! I'm not a thin yogurt kinda girl, it actually grosses me out to thnk about eatting it...so I strain!

I fold my cheese cloth so that it's 4 layers thick and place it in my collinder. I then carefully dump the yogurt into the strainer and then carefully place the whole thing in a large bowl. I let it drain for about 5 hours...dumping the juices every once in a while.

Now I say I drain mine for 5 hours, but really I only drain it until I have the desired thickness, so it could be two for you!

You can now eat your yummy yogurt! I usually just add chopped fruit on top and I'm golden, but you can put it in a blender and make it flavored yogurt!

With skim milk, one gallon will make me about 2 lbs of THICK, DELIIOUS yogurt!

Make sure to save about 1/2 a cup of your newly made yogurt to start a new batch!

I have found from experience that the higher the fat content he more yogurt you will get from a gallon. I made it with 2% milk once and got almost 4lbs of yogurt...more bang for your buck, but a little more fat, depends on who you're feeding it to I guess!

Thanks for stopping by! Please let me know if you have any questions!

Enjoy your kitchen!

The quest for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe has ended!

I have been on a VERY long quest for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe...I have tried dozens of recipes...some more time consuming than others...until I have found the PERFECT one. When I say perfect, I mean it is melt in your mouth, soft, flaky, doesn't need anything on top good!

Here are some reasons I like this recipe:

1. it's super flaky

2. it's the softest recipe I've tried

3. it's easy

4. it's fast...about 90 minutes start to finish

(and with me being a last minute mama, this is always a plus!)

So are you salivating for the recipe?

Okay okay I'll share it!

I can NOT take credit for creating this recipe, I found it at allrecipes.com,

but thought others might enjoy it too!

Ingredients
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, softened
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1/2 cup raisins (optional, I never use them cuz my kids don't like them!)

Directions
1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in margarine; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.

3. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened margarine.

4. Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with margarine/sugar mixture. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in 12 lightly greased muffin cups. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until browned. Remove from muffin cups to cool. Serve warm

Trust me, your family and friends will ask you to make them over and over again...or they will just want the recipe for themselves!

Make, enjoy, Share!

Have a blessed day!

Silvia

And the winner of the earrings is...

So sorry to keep you all waiting...life got in the way of me posting yesterday...life and a dead car battery!

Anywho,

I used a very modern and highly sophisticated method of choosing the winner of my earing give away...I had my year old daughter pick a name out of a hat!!!

Today was picture day...and she looked especially cute for the drawing!

And the winner is...

MEGHANN!!!!

Thank you all so much for playing along...I will do another give away next month for Easter...so be on the look out!

Meghann, please send me an e-mail at mabieme1999@yahoo.com with your address and I will get these out to you asap!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Leap Year FREE EARRINGS!!!

Hello friends!!!

I have decided that since Leap Year only comes around but once every 4 years...I thought I might indulge in a giveaway!

These earrings you see bellow will be FREE to one lucky!

What's the catch? There is none! Simply leave me a comment by midnight tonight (2/29/2012) and one lucky persons name will be drawn and these stunning sterling silver and swarovski pearl earrings will be mailed to them promptly! The ear wires are hand forged by me and the pearl is wire wrapped by me as well. Comes with a nice little gable box...in case you want to give it as a gift!

So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment!

What: hand made .925 Sterling Silver and swarovski pearl earrings

Cost: FREE just leave a comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Silvia

P.S. You can check out my other items at http://www.mabiejewels.etsy.com/

And help me spread the word!

I've been featured!!!!

I am EXTREMELY honored to say that some of my jewery has been featured in Bitter Sweet Zine Winter issue on economic empowerment. I was also very blessed with being asked to participate in their Pop Up Shop in Washington DC! What anmazing treat it was for me to meet so many young professionals and help spread the word on my little buisness! This magazine is distributed throughout Washington DC and you can check out the Zine on their website here!

Here are a few of my pieces!
Keep reading to find out how you can give back to the community too!

Bitter Sweet is all about helping the community, I feel priveledged to have been asked to participate! Because of Bitter Sweet I learned about an amazing organization called S.O.M.E (So Other Might Eat) I was blessed to be able to fill a shoebox full of goodies for someone homeless in the DC area (when I say goodies, what really mean are essentials. Tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo conditioner, undies, hats, gloves, scarves...and my girls picked out a few toys and trinkets as well) I am really liking what SOME is all about and sice it's almost Valentine's I am going to be running a special! I want to share the LOVE with everyone!

I will be donating 20% of the total sales from Anything Sold in my Etsy Shop, Mabie Jewels, from Now Until Feb 14th when you leave the word SOME in the notes to Seller at check out!

Please consider making a purchase, you will get something beautiful, handmade int he USA, and you will also give something to people in need, FOOD!

Thanks for stopping by and consider getting a subscription to Bitter sweet, they ROCK!

Hugs!

Silvia